2000: Real Madrid sign Luis Figo from Barcelona.
"We hate you so because we loved you so" Luis Figo's transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid was not only the biggest transfer fee in the history of the game (at the time), but it was also between two of its fiercest rivals. Luis Figo was Barcelona's star player and a fan favourite before leaving to join the capital club. The reaction of the Barcelona faithful was remarkable. The anger of Madrid signing the best player in the game was nothing compared to the sense of treachery they felt over one of their own leaving for their bitter rivals. his culminated in a match between the two teams in 2002 when Figo was bombarded by missiles from the Barcelona supporters, including most famously a pigs head.
2001: Liverpool win a treble!
Okay, so it wasn't quite the treble Man Utd achieved two years previously, but it still isn't anything to be sniffed at. After going six years without a trophy, Liverpool manage to win three at once. Perhaps the most remarkable of these trophies was the FA Cup Final against Arsenal. Michael Owen, in the form of his life, almost single-handedly won the trophy for Liverpool, scoring twice in the final ten minutes.
2002 World Cup: France get knocked out in the first round; everybody laughs.
Despite winning the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and the 2001 Confederations Cup, France managed to achieve the worst finish for reigning World Cup champions. They managed to get a single point in their group (against Uruguay) while losing to Senegal and Denmark. The 2002 World Cup is also notable as announcing the arrival of Ronaldinho to the world scene. A stunning goal against England in the Quarter Finals cemented his place as a star of the future.
2003/4: Arsenal go a whole league season undefeated.
The first team to do so since Preston North End in 1889, Arsenal were untouchable in the league, winning 26, drawing 12 and losing none. Led by Arsene Wenger, Arsenal had one of the finest sides to ever grace the English top flight and it showed. Arsenal finished 11 points clear of their nearest rivals, Chelsea. This is a feat made all the more incredible by Chelsea's takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. After spending £100 million on new players, expectations were high, but they were expectations they failed to live up to.
Euro 2004: Greece stun everyone and win.
I don't think anyone expected this. Greece had shown they were no pushovers three years earlier in the World Cup qualifier against England, but three years is a long time in football and few would have imagined them knocking getting to the Quarter Finals, let alone winning it! It was a surprising tournament all round. Germany, Spain and Italy were knocked out in the First Round and Greece beat Portugal in the first match and also knocked out holders France. By the time the final came round, many people expected Portugal to lift the trophy on their home turf, but it wasn't to be. Defeating Portugal again, it was Greece who were named champions.
2005: Liverpool win the Champions League from 3-0 down.
One of the greatest comebacks in football. 3-0 down at half time against A.C. Milan, Liverpool looked as though they needed a miracle if they were to win their fifth European Cup. Their prayers were answered in the form of Steven Gerrard and Jerzy Dudek. Gerrard turned in a man of the match performance to land the trophy for Liverpool, scoring Liverpool's first and sending them on the way to victory. With the game going down to penalties, it was the turn of the Liverpool goalkeeper to shine. Saving two penalties and seeing Serginho sky another saw Liverpool crowned European champions.
2006: Italian Serie A Scandal
The Italian game has always had a reputation as being dodgy and scandalous, but this took it to a whole new level. A whole network of links between managers, officials and referees were uncovered, bringing the whole of Serie A into disrepute. The effects of the scandal, I would argue, weren't severe enough. Of the three teams punished with relegation (Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio), only Juventus stayed in Serie B. There were several instances of teams being hit with point deductions, but nothing that wasn't easy to overcome. Since the scandal, it's also led to a drop in competition in the Champions League, with Milan's victory in 2007 being the last time any Italian side had any success in the competition.
That being said, it's given rise to a new era of dominance in Serie A for Inter Milan. None of the teams in Italy have been able to touch them since the scandal, with only Roma giving any serious challenge. However, with Serie A soon to do a Premier League and break away from its lower leagues, the increase in revenue could see another shift in Italian domestic and European power.
2006 World Cup: Zidane loses his cool (and Materazzi loses his balance).
The World Cup finals in Germany were absolutely fantastic and a wonderful advert for the game. Full of twists and turns (Brazil being terrible, France's return to form), moments of sheer brilliance (Argentina's magnificent team goal against Serbia) and some controversial games (Portugal vs Holland, Italy vs Australia). However, it was a moment of utter madness that this World Cup will be remembered for. Zinedine Zidane, playing his last game before retiring, decided to headbutt Marco Materazzi in the chest following an insult aimed at Zidane's sister. France ended up losing on penalties, meaning Zidane's sending off had arguably little effect on the result. Regardless, it was a sour note on which to end the career of one of the greatest players there's ever been and thankfully hasn't sullied what was a fantastic career.
2007: England fail to qualify for Euro 2008
It went down to the final game of the qualifying campaign to determine whether or not England would make it to Austria and Switzerland and in true English fashion we managed to cock it up. Led by Steve 'Wally with a brolly' McLaren, England had been unconvincing throughout the qualification campaign, with losses to Russia and Croatia, a draw against Macedonia and taking 60 minutes to score against Andorra. Their decisive game was against Croatia at Wembley, the team we'd lost 2-1 to in Zagreb. What was to follow was the perfect example of "How not to manage a football team". In pouring rain and with England desperately struggling and needing to win, what did Steve McLaren decide to do? Lead by example and brave the rain? No. Roar instructions from the touchline? No. At least make an effort though, right? Uhhh, no. Instead he stood there with his FA regulation brolly. We would've had more chance for victory with General Custer in charge...
Euro 2008: Spain finally reach their potential.
Despite being tipped as strong contenders in every competition under the Sun, Spain very rarely delivered on the international stage, even though their team is packed to the rafters with talent. "Perennial underachievers" was how Spain had become known, but this was their year to truly shine. With talent oozing out of every part of their squad, Spain really were the business that year. With Fernando Torres and David Villa leading the line, midfielders that would waltz into any team in the world, a solid defense and the best goalkeeper in the world, it's no surprise that Spain emerged victorious. Spain looked every part the champion, showing their class in beating a talented Russian side 4-1 in the first round and 3-0 in the semi's, while also showing their determination in a penalty shoot out against Italy.
2009: Barcelona win the Sextuple.
At the moment, Barcelona are easily the best team in the world and following the 2008/2009 season it's not hard to see why. Sweeping aside all who came before them, Los Culés won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. While this was a fantastic and historic achievement, it was made all the more noteworthy due to Barcelona's style of play of free-flowing, attacking football. Barcelona don't grind out results; it's win in style or don't win at all. Personally I'd love to see a match between this side and the 1970 Brazil national team, just to see who'd come out on top.
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